Amazing JoeJoe

Driving to the point of insanity...

2008-04-30T20:53:00.003-04:00

While most teenage boys hide copies of Playboy under their mattress, I preferred playing cards ... I used to sit in bed at night and practice sleights and moves for hours on end. As I have grown older, my interest has faded and I must confess I no longer put forth the effort I used to.

But over the last few weeks, I've been getting the itch all over again. I've about driven Dana to the point of insanity, rehearsal every day ... new tricks ... new routines ... building this ... decorating that. This summer will be, without any doubt what-so-ever, my greatest magic ever! I can't even recall the last time I was this hungry for it.

We are working towards three new routines - one, an improved Linking Ring routine that will hopefully pull crowds. This will not be the usual close-up routine I have done for years, but a whole new routine using a complete set of 8 inch rings.

And we are working on a new rope routine, based on the world famous Tabary Rope Routine. If you haven't seen Tabary work a rope, you have no idea what rope magic is all about! I first saw Tabary do his routine at Desert Magic Seminar back in '92, and it totally blew me away they way he could work an entire stage for an audience of thousands with nothing but a piece of rope.

And lastly, we are considering bringing Cups n Balls into my act ... most buskers do Cups n Balls, but I've never been fond of the trick myself. But then again, I was never fond of the Floating Cigarette so what do I know? The idea is to try it out and see how it works for us ... just finished building a new table to perform on:

-JoeJoe

Stevie The Stilt Walker

2008-04-24T19:25:00.002-04:00

I found out today that Stevie the Stilt Walker passed away last month. Stevie was a regular performer at Barefoot Landing and would walk by my pitch every night, usually around 7:00. Well liked by everyone, he will be greatly missed this summer.

-JoeJoe

Unshuffled

2008-04-23T22:08:00.002-04:00

This is one of my favorite routines, a simple card trick. This clip was filmed in 2006 at Barefoot Landing. If you are a magician and want to learn how to do this trick, join my new Magic Joint. Hope you enjoy. : )

-JoeJoe

Sitting on the Stars!

2008-04-22T00:59:00.003-04:00

I've been on a broken foot for two weeks now, but that really hasn't slowed me down much. In addition to opening my new website, and releasing a new YouTube video, Dana and I are making preparations for my sixth season at Barefoot Landing. We have talked with them, and are expecting a new contract in the mail any day now.

Last year, we were under prepared ... we were running a flea market on the side, had the City up our rear end, and a lot of personal issues floating around. This year, we are coming back with a huge big bang and none of the baggage! We are currently reviewing footage taken last year, and are tweaking the act and coming up with new material. We are also working on the set, the old bar stool is now a new magic stool and is going to look great in front of the Magic Shows Stand!

-JoeJoe

PS: We will have another YouTube video released very soon, and like the Last Great Unknown Link, it will come with an instructional video available to all members of Magic Joint!

Foxy Loxy

2008-04-16T20:26:00.004-04:00

It is with a heavy heart that I had to put my friend and companion to rest, Foxy Loxy.

I don't know how old Foxy is, I rescued her from the pound almost 10 years ago. I found myself living alone and wanted a watch dog, and there was just something about her that I just had to bring her home with me.

The next day she was here alone when my Dad stopped by. He opened the door and they saw each other ... they both just stared at each other ... eventually, he walked in and Foxy let him pet her. Ever since then, I always joked that if you wanted to rob me, she would hold the door open for you.

She was an escape artist, I couldn't keep her locked up no matter how hard I tried. I had to keep a lock on the gate, as she knew how to lift it with her nose. I dug up the entire fence and buried chicken wire. The next day, she dug a hole and ripped the chicken wire open with her bare paws. She was a sled dog, and loved to pull me on my Razor Scooter. She loved to swim through the swamp as much as she loved to run through the neighborhood. I used to get so frustrated, having to give her a bath before she could come back in the house.

She has brought a lot of magic into my life, now she runs through the heavens ... and I will miss her very much. She may be just a dog to everyone else, but to me she was so much more. :(

-JoeJoe

The Last Great Unknown Link

2008-04-14T21:42:00.002-04:00

Dana and are finally getting around to watching some of the DVD footage we filmed last summer at Barefoot Landing. We accumulated over 300 hours of footage and have not yet processed even half of it, yet alone watch it. In fact, there is some footage that we may never get around to watching.

Here is a small show where I performed my linking ring routine, "The Last Great Unknown Link". Somewhere on this blog there is another clip of this from the year before. This time it's done with larger rings and is an entire routine (not just a clip).

If you are a magician and are interested in learning exactly how I link the rings without the use of a key ring, then feel free to join my new Magic Joint site. Members get access to a video tutorial where I share the secret with the magic community, and best of all it's 100% free to you! After you join, click "Articles" and you will find the tutorial under "Secret Shop".

-JoeJoe

JoeJoe's Magic Joint

Magic Joint

2008-04-07T18:31:00.003-04:00

Like many aspiring magicians, I have over the years created a trick or two worthy of sharing with the general magic community ... and I believe I have found a way that I will be able to release my secrets to the magic community! Introducing http://magicjoint.com

Magic Joint is where I will be publishing a collection of articles including my unique linking ring routine, stripper deck handling, Disappearing JoeJoe, and even my sword-through-body! It is not a cookie-cutter website, I hand scripted the entire thing from scratch. I know what every subroutine is for, I know what every variable holds ... and I have grand ideas on how to make this the most unique magic destination on the web!

It is still in a beta-testing stage, but registrations are open and the forums are fully functional. Stop by and check it out, Dana and I really like the blue-stars yellow-trim layout we designed for it. It looks good.

http://magicjoint.com

-JoeJoe

Sidewalk Rig

2008-01-28T16:05:00.001-05:00

And my other wood working creation, a sidewalk rig for street performing, 22 inches high weighting 16 pounds it can be carried comfortably with one hand:

As you can see ... it serves for a nice sign. Plus, it makes a nice stool for when my legs get tired - just got to watch out for the handle.

Propped on a bar stool, it makes a nice table - but I doubt I'll use it for that much, as I made it with 2x3's and 1/4 inch plywood so I can stand on it - thats right, an 8 inch high stage:

Not only does it open up to store my act, I'm thinking it could make a nice tip receptacle - in the upper left you can see it is propped open with a 2x3, I don't care how strong the ocean breeze is - that baby is not going to fall closed!

-JoeJoe

Suitcase Table

2008-01-28T15:38:00.000-05:00

Over the summer, I made a nice little pitch stand and decided to do some more wood work. I've wanted a suitcase table for some time now, only never really could justify spending the money on one - we're talking $400-$500 retail on one of these!

I'm sure serious wood working students would cringe at my methods - like spilting 1x4's with a circular saw, there are no straight edges on this. But it is more than suitable for my purposes:

The closeup pad is just some felt like fabric duct taped to a piece of cardboard - I've made and used them for years, allows me to make it the exact size I want and not confined to what the magic shop sells. Lots of room inside:

And the best part is is packs down into a small lightweight box that fits in the back seat of a car:

I'm not sure what I will actually do with this, I basically just made it because I have the free time and a pile of scrap wood. I may just put it in the flea market with a "for sale" sign on it, I might use it when street performing. Haven't made up my mind just yet.

-JoeJoe

Spring Preparations...

2008-01-15T16:07:00.000-05:00

I know it has been a long while since my last post, but during the off season I really don't know what there is to write about. I could detail my happenings while pitching Svengali decks at the flea market, but I must confess I find it to be quiet boring - I only do it for the money.

So it's that time of year where Dana and I sit down and explore our options. Spring will be here soon, and we want to be doing something somewhat new and different this year. We are considering a dinner show, or perhaps street performing outside of Myrtle Beach. Really not sure what at this point. We'll keep you posted...

-JoeJoe

Floating Street Lamp - The Video

2007-11-06T00:23:00.000-05:00

Like most things in life, it has taken longer than expected ... I personally like the final result and feel it was well worth the wait:

-JoeJoe

Pulse Check..........

2007-10-25T00:27:00.001-04:00

I know it's been a while since my last post ... see, when a band goes off on tour they are all eager and excited to play. But by the end of the tour, they are wore out and tired of playing. Well after a long hard summer season, I'm like the band that just got off tour.

But I am pleased to announce that Dana and I just watched the final cut of the Floating Street Lamp video. Remember the Floating Street Lamp? Well we finally managed to find the time to get the final shots, record the audio track, and edit the entire thing together - and it came out great! We are both very excited about this video, I myself consider it a masterpiece ... some of my best work.

We still need to compress it for the net, and I want to show it to Jim Lee before releasing it since he does have a starring role in it. So if you haven't already done so, subscribe to my YouTube channel so you can be the first to see it when it goes live!

-JoeJoe

Adios, YouTube!

2007-08-22T15:03:00.000-04:00

Apparently, YouTube is set to begin testing a new ad format on Wednesday where ads will be superimposed on user submitted videos.

Now when I signed up for YouTube, I never agreed to letting them alter my content. Based on an example ad, their ad would obscure my subtitles on Snowstorm in Myrtle Beach. I don't mind banner ads and text ads above, below, and to the sides ... but not something that will alter my content and even obscure parts of it.

I am really hoping Google realizes this is a huge mistake and does not go through with this. If they do go through with it, well ... I will begin shopping for a new video host. Looks like a lot of other folks will also, the results of the news.com poll currently show 51% of the voters saying Adios YouTube, with only 10% not noticing the ads.

-JoeJoe

More parking probs...

2007-08-20T16:04:00.000-04:00

The repair job on the cart wheel weakened it substantially and last night as I was going up the wheelchair ramp the wheel broke off again. The other front wheel couldn't handle the weight, thus it broke off also. All because some lady parked in front of a wheel chair ramp. Good thing I'm not handicapped huh? Today I fixed them both again, but the cart is still in a weakened state. I am really hoping I can finish the summer with it, at which point I imagine it will just be retired as I seek a new rig.

We have begun filming a YouTube rant video on the City's effort to illegally license street performers. The video will cover the entire long running feud with the Grand Strand going back 15 years; we shot footage in downtown Myrtle Beach where I initially wanted to street perform but was told I wasn't allowed. There will not be a lot of magic on this video, but will feature some bits and pieces and comedy with live audiences at Barefoot Landing including a rip-n-restored business license.

And I have not forgotten the Floating Street Lamp video - we have most of the footage shot for that, but we are lacking some studio scenes. And unfortunately, the studio is unavailable at the moment ... which means we need to figure out an alternative shooting location. Hmmm....

... too much to think about right now, gotta hit the pitch - see ya there!

-JoeJoe

Hey kid, wanna see a magic trick?

2007-08-18T22:27:00.001-04:00

Hey kid, wanna see a magic trick?
He says "No, I want a balloon".

"But I do really kewl magic tricks, you want to see one right?".
"No, I just want a balloon".

"Look kid, there is a sword sticking out my chest ... don't you want to know why I'm not dead?"
"Ummm ... no ... I really just want a balloon".

So what could I do? I gave him a balloon.

-JoeJoe

Smiling Faces ... Beautiful Places

2007-08-15T11:22:00.000-04:00

We managed to fix the broken wheel on the cart, and the new 'Magic Shows' sign is really attracting the attention. We're doing some of my best work ever out there! But hanging from my hat like a dark cloud is this whole business license crap.

We received a call from Bruce Young, the supervisor for the City's Department of Revenue. It appears that my efforts are now attracting the top brass, so I must be getting something accomplished. Mr. Young called to convince my that I need a business license. That of course is like trying to convince me I need a hole in my head, and really shows that he has missed the point entirely. He seems more focused on the legality of his actions than with the acceptability of the policy - which I take as a good sign as he should be concerned as to weather his actions are legal or not.

But the City Council is not a court room and the legality of his actions are irrelevant within this forum, and I stand by my appeal as a business license is unnecessary, unwarranted, a barrier of entry to future street performers, and yes ... even illegal. I am not doing business and should not be required to have a business license, as per the Supreme Court.

See ... the Grand Strand is a corporate stage, where art is sacrificed for profit on a nightly basis, where local talent gets to wait on tables and wash dishes while the stages are filled with people bussed in from Vegas and Branson. I have had to carve my own path and I have no intention of letting the City dump on me. I want to live in a City that fosters art and culture and entertainment, and if my City Council cannot understand this then I will work to elect a new Council that will!

When it became apparent that he was not actually listening to me, I politely informed him that I am not going to argue with him and hung up. He is not an elected official and it is not his job to dictate public policy. And while I would love to rant and rave more about my conversation with Mr. Young, I really want to flush my ears with some loud obnoxious music so that I can (hopefully) remove his condescending tone from my ears - I don't like the way he talked to me one little bit. This is South Carolina and when I talk to my government officials I expect to hear "smiling faces". Perhaps I will find time to bring this issue up with the Council also. Until then....

-JoeJoe

Magic Shows

2007-08-12T23:38:00.000-04:00

I have recently completed construction on a new table for pitching Svengali decks at the flea market:

I used Don Driver's pin-joint from his Svengali Pitch DVD as my basic blue print. The biggest modification I made was using a very lightweight luan board instead of plywood ... thus, there was no need to knock out the hinges as it is light enough to be carried while folded. In fact, the entire stand can be carried in just one trip to the truck!

Because luan board is very flimsy, I had to put a frame under the top board. With the shelf in place, the entire assembly is 'locked' in place making it quite sturdy. It can easily support the amount of weight I will be placing on it.

Initially, it was only to be used at the flea market ... but once I finished it, I got to thinking there is no reason I can't take it to Barefoot Landing. So tonight, I took it to Barefoot Landing. I used it as a backdrop and performed in front of it. The 'MAGIC SHOWS' continued to pull people in even after it got dark! I really like the new pitch stand. : )

Here it is in all it's glory at Barefoot Landing complete with close-up pad.

-JoeJoe

Parking Nightmares ...

2007-08-10T11:47:00.000-04:00

The parking lot situation at Barefoot Landing has always been a total mess. I have no idea why people fight so hard to park in the front lot, they nearly hit someone trying to get a spot and then come up and ask where Greg Norman's is ... only to be told it is on the other side - they go off walking not even realizing if they had just went to the back parking lot they wouldn't have to fight for parking and they would even be right outside the door - duh.

So there she was ... illegally parked in front of the wheelchair ramp. I normally roll my cart full of magic up that wheelchair ramp so naturally I was slightly peeved. I thought I could cut the corner and get past her car, only when I tried I smack daddy'd the front wheel of my cart on the curb - yeup, it's broke. Plan to look at it today, see if I can't fix it but since the entire thing is plastic I don't have much hope. This means I will need to make several trips to the truck to unload everything everyday. All because she was illegally parked in front of a wheelchair ramp.

The heat has been extreme ... already in a bad mood, I decide not to wear the top hat and tails. I'm tired of killing myself for the sake of entertainment - I worked for years without a top hat and tails so there is no reason I can't do the same tonight ... overall, it was a good night. Harder to stop people with a heat index of 110, but I've discovered the Dancing Cane makes for a great tip builder!

-JoeJoe

Wet and Wonderful

2007-07-30T23:47:00.001-04:00

So far this summer, we have been lucky ... not much rain. But tonight it decided to rain on us. The first thing I did was put a plastic bag over the camera so I could keep on filming:

It's only a drizzle, and the kids don't mind getting wet ... so I continue on with my show:

We didn't do too bad considering it was raining:

I am one of the few buskers that not only tries to work the rain, I actually enjoy it. I was disappointed there wasn't more rain tonight. I figure if it is going to rain, it might as well pour.

-JoeJoe

Flea Market Shows

2007-07-24T14:45:00.001-04:00

I have been struggling with what exactly to do at the Flea Market. For those that don't know, the North Myrtle Beach Flea Market is a dirty old flea market where I have rented a space in one of their sheds so that I can pitch magic tricks like the Svengali Deck.

Things are starting to come in focus ... I plan on a silent act done to music featuring some manipulation magic like sleight of hand with cards and coins ... maybe a dancing cane ... or a floating ball ... things like that. Dana is going through soundclick.com looking for the perfect music while I build a small stage to perform on:

More on all this in the future ... till then,

-JoeJoe

How hot is it anyway?

2007-07-11T15:15:00.000-04:00

Recently, I saw a bit on TV where some guy (most likely hired by Al Gore) stood outside in Las Vegas with a thermometer that read 110 degrees in an attempt to scare people into believing in this whole global warming hog wash ... I think they should have come to Myrtle Beach instead, after all ... my thermometer is much more frightening at 130 degrees:

What I find most amazing about this is the fact that NOAA was reporting the temperature to be only 83 degrees! I may not be a weather expert, but I know it was a lot hotter than 83 ... as I drove to the Landing, I snapped this shot:

So it is somewhere between 83 degrees and 130 degrees ... and I'm standing in the middle of the sun with a top hat and tails coat on without a concern one about global warming. Here's a new flash for Al Gore: the earth has been warming up for several thousand years now!!! DUH!!!

Magicians often see things that other people don't notice, and they simply aren't fooling me! Until NOAA learns how to take the temperature accurately, their studies will not hold any creditable merit what-so-ever. It's all just junk science and I really hope someone enlightens the poor boy before he ends up doing some serious damage to the world's poor.

-JoeJoe

Summerfest Pictures

2007-07-09T00:02:00.000-04:00

Saturday morning, I get up early to hit the flea market ready for work ... only, the truck wouldn't start. So instead of earning a tip on the busiest weekend of the year, I ended up walking a mile up the road to buy a new alternator in the 92 degree heat. I swear, it doesn't matter how far ahead in life I get ... I always end up walking down the road.

We did have a great night at Barefoot Landing Sunday. Lots of magic ... plan to change up the shows yet again; I have been closing with my sword and rope routine, but I don't think it makes a great closer ... and I've really been nailing the new linking ring routine, so we are going to switch the two and start closing with the rings instead.

I know everyone keeps expecting pictures and videos to get posted ... so I managed to get a few screen shots so you can get a feeling for whats going on! This year, you will notice I am wearing yellow and have added some stars to the tails. : )

-JoeJoe

Stop The Presses!

2007-07-06T16:45:00.001-04:00

I have just sent out a press release to the local media concerning my recent appeal to the City Council concerning the business license the City has illegally forced me to obtain. It is lengthy, a two page press release with a two page copy of the actual appeal, a page of relevant case law, and one page of relevant facts in the case. You can read it for yourself by clicking here.

Should my appeal fail, I am considering Court action against the City and should that fail I will seek a new performing venue outside of North Myrtle Beach. As a free artist, I simply refuse to operate under the umbrella of a business license.

The only thing I would like to add to all of this is that it is not about the money! Barefoot Landing has offered to reemberse me the fee for the license, and if it was about the money I would simply take them up on their offer. To me it is about being free to express myself artistically without government interference. The Courts have ruled that I have the right to street perform without a business license, and it would not be prudent to surrender that right.

-JoeJoe

The Rudenss Continues ...

2007-07-04T09:08:00.001-04:00

June is such a nice month to work; the kids are excited to be out of school, the parents are happy they get to spent some family time together, everyone is in a great mood. But unfortunately, it never lasts!

As I start doing my grind shows tonight, I was constantly heckled by some of the older kids - the ones that think they know how everything is done. The parents are starting to get sick of the kids that have been bugging them for a month now, and so they send them to me - how thoughtful! I used to be light on the kids, but now I have become much more aggressive to the delight of my audiences, telling one kid to get his own street corner got a great laugh.

As it gets dark, the rudeness continues ... one kid has now seen 5 shows and apparently his parents have no intention of coming to get him anytime soon. He was a good kid at least, quiet and polite I didn't actually mind him much. But at the same time, I just have to wonder if I would want to let my kid hang out with a strange man unsupervised for that length of time? Hmmm ... most likely, no.

At some point in the night, I began to get a headache ... packed up a little early and figured I would hope for better luck tomarrow. Till then...

-JoeJoe

How Rude!

2007-07-02T23:20:00.000-04:00

Tonight, I arrive on my pitch to the sounds of "OH MY GOD" - "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!". No, I didn't come up with the next greatest magic illusion of the century ... apparently, these folks can't believe they would bump into someone they know while on vacation - how earth shattering is that huh?

The reunion begins right behind me just as I start my show. They are just a talking up a storm, you would have thunk they hadn't seen each other in decades ... they didn't even seem to notice a crowd of 75 people were standing right behind them cheering and applauding. Well, one guy did ... he turned briefly to give my audience a "will ya'all shut up" look. I thought they would have taken the hint, but they just kept right on ignoring me like I didn't have an amplifier turned on.

I am constantly amazed at the rudeness of people in this world ... it sometimes seems like people spend hours dreaming up new ways to tick me off. I really wish everyone in the world would take some time to make themselves aware of the environment they are in. People seem to think the world centers around themselves, and often do not take the people around them into consideration. What can you do? I like to just smile and say "have a nice day". ; )

-JoeJoe